She giggled. “You mean,pneu.”
His white teeth gleamed.“Oui. Pneu.”Then he added, “You want to get out and check?”
She huffed. Huh. She’d taken a car maintenance course,—at Max’s urging — and now he was treating her like the expert? She popped open the door and got out. The gravel crunched under her boots. She propped her hands on her knees and bent down, curious, still perplexed. The tire looked just fine to her. Maybe one of the rear ones. She turned—and there was Max, on one knee, holding up a rectangular box, smiling like the Devil himself.
“What the—” she began, and then it dawned on her. Inside the box were at least eight rings, each bearing a large gemstone, each glittering in the sunlight. “Oh.” Then again, “Oh!” She clapped her hands to her mouth in stunned delight.
“Do you recognize the surrounding area?” he asked mischievously.
She glanced around, too dazed by the brilliance of the gems to focus properly. “No.”
“This is where we met, almost a year ago. When I stopped to help a damsel in distress who was cursing a blue streak.” He rose, still holding out the box like an offering. “Well, what do you think?”
“I think you’re insane. How many rings are there?”
“Ten.” He winked. “A lady needs options.”
She looked down at the jewelry, her mind spinning. “I don’t know which to choose.”
“Whichever you want. All. None. I don’t mind; as long as you make just one more important choice.”
“And what choice would that be?” she asked cheekily.
“Me,” he said simply. “Choose me, flaws and all. The man who loves you, aches for you, desires you; who wants nothing more out of life to be with you and to make you happy. Choose me, Sienna.”
She reached out, flipped down the lid of the box and carefully placed it on the front seat, and then looped her arms around his neck. “I do. I will. I mean, I already have. I mean, yes. I mean—”
“Hush,mon minou,” Max said, lifting her and pressed her body against his. “You’re tying your tongue in knots, and I can think of one use I would prefer to put your pretty little mouth to.” He kissed her, deep and sweet.
She pulled away, just to make sure he got her response right. “You do understand I mean yes, right?”
He laughed and kissed her. “Yes, right back at you, my love.”
ALMOST THE END…
***